Hi all. I was on the track around here on my 96 banshee. I noticed that when I landed on my larger jumps(really nothing to brag about though) when I landed, my rear end was a little sideway. So I made sure I came off straight and kept the wheels straight on take off, and I noticed it still. Why would this be? I was pretty tired when I started running the track, so I thought maybe I just wasn't paying the attention I should. Any ideas on what would cause this delima? I really haven't noticed it much before.

Thanks,

Jason

 

i was racing yesterday and i too started to land sideways. i have 2000 400EX. i noticed that when i hit the gas just before the jump i would go sideways, i let off going up the jump and the quad would not go sideways. something else to look for is if the jump has ruts on it.

 

I'll bet that one of your rear tires has less air pressure than the other rear tire. You are getting more traction with one tire on take-off and kicking the quad sideways in the air.

 

Most of the time that I get kicked sideways, it is from the jump itself.

If the take off is nice and level, I would suggest two possible problems.

First, your axle is not straight. Once your front leaves the ground, there is no way to steer. So if the axle is not perfectly straight to the frame, you would be shot sideways.

The other was mentioned...your tires. But I will go a step further. It may not be so much as air pressure, but size. Fill your tires with equal air pressure when they are under the same temperature (better measure if hot) and measure the circumference. If one tire were larger than the other, this would cause the quad to want to go sideways.

When I was with stock cars on an oval track, we used to set the tires to a certain stagger. That is one tire would be larger than the other. Slight variations would affect handling in the corners greatly. I was surprised to see Travis Spader’s mechanic doing the same thing at Mt Morris this year. I am sure he was making sure each tire was the same, rather than 3 inches difference (stock car).

 

use some body english and bring it back to center and try landing with the throttle full and charging fo rhte next turn or jump it will get you mind off the bad landing and it will make it harder to notice it because its not sidways for long

 

The jump itself is what is launching you sideways. Unfortunetly, on a quad it is not easy to bring the rear end back. The bikes have it easy. A quad can hit a perfect looking jump and get thrown sideways. I found this out the hard way last weekend in a rythm section at the local mx track. The first 'perfect looking' double kicked me sideways. I couldn't save it in time for the next double. As a result I hit the next double to the far right, launched off the track and cased a hay bail. Luckily after the flaggers lifted my quad off of me I was fine. All I can say is be careful.
#70 Kyle Davis

 

You'll have to figure that one out with the help of everyone. Not on jumps but I too noticed while my machine was up on a wheelie it drifted to the right and a friend said the axle was out of line but easier to check was the tire pressure.Believe it, a pound or less could be the difference.

 

Hey man, these guys have good pointers.. It probably is the jump. I jammed my wrist yesterday jumping sideways.. but it only happened once. It shouldn't tear your quad up. I would check the air pressure, then the jump. Make sure the take off is the same height/level. Do you punch the gas before you jump? Your tires might be spinning when you take off.. therefore getting you crooked! Don't worry about the landing.. as long as your pretty flat(and pointed in the right diretion) you should be okay. My 97 banshee has a tendancy to spin on take off.. but you can correct by taking a higher speed, a better line, and not punching it so hard!! Later!